Park Hall, Oswestry

Star Rating: * * *

It was another return trip to my parents in Oswestry for Sunday lunch and time we gave my mother a well deserved rest from the cooking.

The Venue at Park Hall has been developed from the former stadium into an astro-turf pitch, a bowling alley, children’s play area, function and conference rooms and a health club.

I had heard mixed reports on The Venue – my brother had visited in the first few weeks and they had no lager and was also told it was too late to bowl at 10pm despite it applying for opening hours into the early hours.

A friend visited and they had no white wine and another went and the bowling alley had broken down. Not a good start.

I can honestly say I wasn’t eager to get there after that but my mother had heard different reports, including the Sunday lunch was well worth a visit.

She booked a table for six people at 1pm and asked for the function room as from a previous visit we were aware the children’s play area was in the bar area.

The person taking the booking said it would be – so we were surprised on our arrival when we gave our name and the waitress looked as us in disbelief.

The function room was obviously hosting a children’s party and nearly every table in the main bar area was full.

A waiter then swiftly approached us and said our table would be ready in 15 minutes – not a good start. But then to my surprise he moved the people from the table and relaid it for us.

The previous diners did look like they were on their way, they just needed that helping hand. Shame for them if they had planned to have another round of drinks.

A choice of two soups and two roast meats. So what was that delicious looking lasagne that had passed me by earlier? “Oh,” she said “that’s for vegetarians”. We obviously didn’t look like vegetarians but it would have been nice to have the chance.

Our soups arrived served with a generous portion of warm French stick. My family were divided with the choice of leek and potato or vegetable.

Both choices looked appetising but sadly the first mouthful for everyone was cool, “luke warm” if we are generous. So the soups went back to the kitchen.

They returned minutes later with fresh bread and clean serving plates which was a nice touch and at a better temperature. They were all enjoyed.

Again we were divided with our main course order, my mother and I went for turkey while the others went for the pork.

The lunches were served and enjoyed by all. We asked for extra vegetables and they were served promptly too. Everything was tasty and hot and received the thumbs up.

Our dishes were cleared and then we were left; literally. They obviously presumed we didn’t want sweets or coffee and the staff were more intent on wondering around looking like they were busy. We wouldn’t have minded waiting if they were!

I eventually asked if they did sweets and we were brought a menu and left again. Finally a waitress realised we were more ready to make a move home after such a long wait and took our order.

The sweets again were satisfying and the plates were cleared. Although once again, on the menu it said the apple pie was served with “hot” custard but after a friend who had already eaten said to ask for it extra hot which we did, it still arrived on the cool/cold side.

Sadly our visit was tarred with too many disappointments – our table felt like were in the children’s play area (we wouldn’t have minded if we had not purposely booked a table in the function room); the soups had to be returned but mainly the lack of enthusiasm and speed from the staff was the main issue.

It has got potential to be a successful place but unless the organisation is sorted out, customers will not be returning for a second visit.

Also, the chefs walking around and actually waiting-on themselves in their whites was not very professional.

The taste of the food deserved four stars but the overall atmosphere, service and temperature of the food dropped it to just three stars.

By Kirsty Marston

MENU SAMPLE:

October specials offer: any two courses for £9.75 (Mon-Sat)

Starters: Chicken liver pate (£4.95); grilled flat mushrooms with melted blue cheeses served on a garlic cruote with basil pesto (£4.95).

Main courses: Chicken fillet stuffed with mozzerella cheese and chorizo sausage and saute potatoes (£9.25); slow roasted lamb shoulder served with creamy mash, roasted vegetables and garlic and thyme. (£11.95).

Desserts: Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce, hot Belgium waffle with butterscotch sauce (all £3.95).

Atmosphere: Not the atmosphere expected for Sunday lunch and noisy which was expected from the play barn. Would have been better in the function room for a Sunday lunch experience.

Service: Lacking in friendly smiles and speed.

Disabled facilities: Both disabled toilet facilities and access.

Contact: The Venue, Park Hall, Oswestry (01691) 684840 www.gotothevenue.com